Companion Workbook: Chapter 1

What is Normal?

Dogs (and people for that matter) are not one-size-fits-all but the general
rule of thumb is that you should be able to run your hand down the side of
your dog and be able to feel the ribs but not see them. If you can see the ribs,
he/she may need to put on a couple of pounds. If you have to really dig in to
feel the ribs, you are reading the right book. Another thing to look for is your
dog’s waistline – there should be one. There should be a definite tapering or
“tuck” in between the chest and butt. If there’s not – yep, you are reading the
right book.

Weighing your dog can be a challenge but there are a couple of options. You
can always go for the “weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding your dog
and do some math” approach. If you go this route, be sure to use the same
scale in the same place every time for consistent tracking.
Another great option: You can almost always run your dog by your
veterinarian’s office for a quick weight check. Much easier on the big scales
there plus, as an added bonus, it gives the office staff a chance to love on
your dog. This is a great way to help dogs that are scared of coming to the
Vet become more at ease, making actual appointment/exam times run a
heck of a lot smoother. Win-win for everybody!

So, how much should your dog weigh? The American Kennel Club (AKC)
breaks down the normal weight ranges according to each breed. Here are a
few of the most common ones:

American Staffordshire Terriers (male) 55-70 pounds
Australian Cattle Dogs 35-50 pounds
Australian Shepherds (male) 50-65 pounds
Basset Hounds 40-65 pounds
Beagles (13-15 inches) 20-30 pounds
Border Collies 30-55 pounds
Boston Terriers 12-25 pounds
Boxers 65-80 pounds
Boykin Spaniels (female) 25-35 pounds
Bulldogs (male) 50 pounds
Bullmastiffs (female) 100-120 pounds
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 13-18 pounds
Chihuahuas Not more than 6 pounds
Chinese Shar-Peis 45-60 pounds
Chow Chows 45-70 pounds
Cocker Spaniels (female) 26-32 pounds
Collies (female) 50-65 pounds
Dachshunds (standard) 16-32 pounds
Dalmatians 45-70 pounds
Doberman Pinschers (female) 60-90 pounds
French Bulldogs Under 28 pounds
German Shepherds (male) 65-90 pounds
Golden Retrievers (female) 55-65 pounds
Labrador Retrievers (male) 65-80 pounds
Lhasa Apsos 12-18 pounds
Maltese Under 7 pounds
Miniature Pinschers 8-10 pounds
Pomeranians 3-7 pounds
Poodles (miniature) 10-15 pounds
Pugs 14-18 pounds
Rottweilers (female) 80-100 pounds
Scottish Terriers (male) 19-22 pounds
Shih Tzus 9-16 pounds
Siberian Huskies (male) 45-60 pounds
Weimaraners (female) 55-75 pounds
Yorkshire Terriers 7 pounds

Want to check out the complete breed weight list? See the AKC website:
AKC.org/expert-advice/nutrition/breed-weight-chart/

It’s important to remember that these weight ranges are meant to be general
guidelines. There are many factors to be considered when determining your
dog’s ideal weight such as the gender of the dog, breed, size of your dog’s
parents, genetics, and body composition just to name a few. For example, all
Beagles are not created equal – one may weigh 20 pounds, one may weigh
30 pounds, and both are a healthy weight.
Still not sure? You can always refer to the Purina 9-Point Body Condition
System for a little help determining just how chubby your chubby dog is. This
is the same system that Dr. Remillard referred to in her foreword. Note that
this is a subjective system, meaning you may score your dog at a certain
number and your veterinarian may feel he/she is at an entirely different
number, but it is a great discussion starting point. Also please note that this
system is not ideal for dogs that have muscle loss due to age, amputation,
disease, etc.

For ease of use, we’ve created a simplified body condition
scoring system you can reference below:

You can also find the aforementioned Purina 9-Point Body
Condition System on their website here >

Some veterinarians may also refer to the 5-point system, which is very
similar to the Purina 9-Point Body Condition System.

If, after an exam, you and your veterinarian determine your dog is in perfect
shape and doesn’t need to lose a single pound – that’s wonderful news! If,
however, it’s time to take some action then keep reading.....